60 CC MINI ENGINES: GREAT TRUTHS (AND MYTHS!) ABOUT THEIR PROPER MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT ON TRACK - PART 1 OF 3

Proper engine management and maintenance are crucial aspects of every karting category, and the MINI class, with its 60 cc engines, is no exception. Aimed at young drivers aged 8 to 12 (with slight variations depending on the country), this class represents the first real step into competitive karting after the Baby classes and Rental karts. Although the MINI classes are simpler compared to Junior/Senior levels, the 60 cc engines they typically use require careful management and maintenance. Neglecting certain details can undermine competitiveness and lead to preventable breakdowns if precise care is not taken. To confirm or debunk some of the most common beliefs about MINI engine management—often shared among parents accompanying their children in the paddock—we spoke with Simone Catenacci, owner of M.A. Engines, a company specialising in MINI engine preparation. In recent years, M.A. Engines has achieved significant results at both national and international levels, contributing to victories in multi-make competitions like the WSK Series and the Macau International Grand Prix, as well as in single-make series like the ROK Cup Superfinal, the international single-make championship promoted by Vortex Engines, a branch of the OTK Kart Group dedicated to engines. With this expertise, Simone Catenacci is one of the most qualified voices on the subject. We asked him 20 questions. Read on to discover the first 8 questions in this mini-series, divided into three parts!

Editor's note
The information presented in this 'True or False' series specifically pertains to the management of Group 3 MINI engines, which are constructed and homologated according to FIA Karting specifications, as well as other engines inspired by these standards. These engines are characterised by air cooling and float-bowl carburettors, such as the ROK MINI (an engine from the ROK line produced by Vortex, the engine division of OTK Kart Group).